It’s everyone’s responsibility to improve and protect the environment. The following tips for creating a “Green Office” are simple, easy and effective against damages to the environment.
Waste Management:
a) Reducing wastes
• Avoid using paper
• Use double-sided photocopying and printing, minimize the number of document copies
• Disseminate information by electronic means
• Avoid printing promotional leaflets; use internet, newspapers, or television for advertisement
• Use electronic greeting cards
• Use less gift wrapping paper
• Use handkerchiefs instead of tissues
• Avoid purchasing disposal items (e.g. laminated beverages, paper cup or tableware)
b) Reusing old items
• Reuse old envelopes, box files and paper boxes
• Reuse single-sided paper
• Donate unwanted yet usable items to charities or people in need
(e.g. clothes or office equipment)
c) Recycling
• Implement waste separation by placing recycling bins in office areas for all recyclables.
(e.g. placing recycle boxes beside photocopiers or printers as containers to collect single-sided paper for reuse and used paper for recycling )
•Set up recycling bins to collect all recyclables, such as waste paper, metals and plastics
Energy Saving :
• Turn off electrical appliances that are not in use. Don’t leave them on standby mode
• Turn on the air-conditioning only when necessary and set the temperature at 25.5℃
• Switch off part of or all lighting and air-conditioning during lunch breaks, overtime working hours or after office hours
• Ask the last employee to leave the office to turn off all the air-conditioning, lighting and office equipment
• Switch off the lighting, air-conditioning and equipment before leaving meeting rooms
• Encourage the use of staircase instead lifts
• Replace fat tubes (T10) with thin tubes ( T5/LED)
• Choose electrical appliances with Energy Efficiency Label of Grade 1 or Grade 2 when replacing the old ones
• Post “Save Energy” signs as a reminder
Water Conservation :
• Encourage water conservation
• Post “ Save Water” signs in the pantry
Green Procurement :
• Purchase office equipment such as photocopiers, water dispensers, refrigerators with Energy Efficiency label
• Purchase green stationery such as refillable ball pens and recycled pencils
• Avoid purchasing disposal item (e.g. non-rechargeable battery)